UK Gambling Industry Exceeds £100 Million Pledge for Harm Prevention

Big progress has been made in the fight against gambling addiction in the UK. Leading gambling companies have surpassed their initial commitment to fund research, education, and treatment initiatives.

Exceeding the £100 Million Goal:

In 2020, the Betting and Gaming Council’s (BGC) top members pledged a combined £100 million to tackle gambling-related harms. This commitment was set to be fulfilled by June 2024. Major operators like Bet365, Entain, Evoke, and Flutter Entertainment not only met this target but exceeded it. By June 2024 their contributions amounted to a staggering £122.5 million.

Investing in the Future

The BGC‘s efforts go beyond just exceeding their initial pledge. They’ve also shown a particular focus on protecting young people. These leading operators provided additional funding to support the £10 million Young People’s Gambling Harm Prevention Programme. This initiative has reached over two million young people aged 11 to 19, raising awareness and promoting responsible gambling habits.

Industry-Wide Commitment

The good news does not stop there. Beyond the contributions from the BGC’s top members, other BGC members and licensed operators in the UK have also stepped up. Their additional donations of £10 million annually bring the total industry contribution to a remarkable £172.5 million dedicated to preventing and treating gambling harms.

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Ensuring Transparency and Independence

The BGC emphasizes that these significant donations are independently managed. This ensures the funds reach accredited organizations with a proven track record in delivering effective gambling harm prevention and treatment services. Wes Himes, the BGC’s executive director, highlighted this point, stating that members have no say in how the funding is allocated.

Looking Ahead

While the industry has made significant progress through voluntary contributions, the BGC continues to advocate for a statutory levy. This would create a mandatory contribution system across the gambling industry to ensure sustainable funding for harm prevention efforts.

The government proposed a 0.4% levy on gross gambling yield in a white paper published last year. The BGC supports the concept of a statutory levy but has raised concerns about the potential financial impact on smaller independent bookmakers. They hope the new government will take these concerns into account when revisiting the plan.

Overall, the UK gambling industry has demonstrated a strong commitment to tackling gambling-related harm. By exceeding their initial pledge, supporting youth initiatives and advocating for a sustainable funding model they are taking positive steps towards a healthier gambling environment.